Let's spread a healthy dose of happy

Today, while enjoying another walk to the store, I happened upon a scene I have grown accustomed to seeing. There was a pickup truck with a camper shell parked on the corner. Inside it live a lady who is probably somewhere around the latter half of her 60s. Inside the truck appears to be all her worldly possessions. This includes her beautiful chocolate lab dog who sits right next to her in the front of the truck.

It is pretty easy to tell that this has become her temporary home. I have spoken with her on several occasions, and she and the dog seem to be managing quite well, all things considered.

She has an out of state license plate on the truck, and I guess that is where they have come from. She seems to be mentally sound and in good health, as does the dog. I think I first noticed them about a month or so ago. I have to tell you, they seem to be quite happy.

What does it mean to be happy? Not the same thing to everyone. Sometimes happiness comes in small doses, like just having a really happy moment. Depending on what your needs are, some of us are satisfied with very little.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could just take these feelings of happiness and store them away for the really bad days? We all have a bad day occasionally. Unless, of course, your life is perfect. I have yet to meet anyone with the so-called perfect life. My brother used to say, "We can only play the cards we are dealt." Not all of us will be beautiful, or have an inherent talent throughout our lives. So, where does that leave the rest of us? Finding our happiness when and where we can get it.

I have found that waking up each morning with a good thought always helps. If you can focus on something positive you can look forward to in the first few minutes of your morning, it makes a difference. You are the one who sets the pace for the day. Whether it is a short trip to the casino, just a visit from a loved one, or even just that first hot cup of coffee, we all have it in us to find that happy moment and hang on to it. Like the lady in the truck, who does the best she can with what she has.

Sister finds her happiness in small doses as well. Seeing pictures on her Facebook of the grandkids, or waking up remembering a happy time she had many years ago does it for her. She will often think about something good she is going to cook and that will always bring on a smile.

Maybe there are those among us who don't allow themselves to enjoy a happy moment. They are so stuck on the negative side of life, which is all they know. I don't think this kind of attitude starts in old age. I think there are negative people who spend too much time worrying about things they have no control over. They often set goals for themselves that they have no chance of ever seeing come to light.

I cannot imagine what it would be like to have clinical depression. It is a real illness that can take your happy away, no matter what you do. People will often say, "How could she/he be depressed? They have everything they could possibly want or need." It is more common than you might think, and it robs many of the simple pleasures in life. We have lost many famous people in the last few years from depression.

I have met lots of happy folks here in Kingman. I am actually related to many happy Kingman people. We celebrate holidays, birthdays, and any other excuse to just do stuff together. Some are related not by blood, but are family none the less.

All of us have run into those folks that wear a scowl on their face at all times. If you share a smile with them, you won't likely get one in return. But, what the heck? It couldn't hurt. Just share your happiness whenever you can and be grateful for each and every day that you can still find something to smile about.

Life is far too short to waste even one single day stuck in the negative side. It does not mean you stop feeling pain, it just means you do not let it define you.